On a blustery final afternoon over the Lossiemouth links at Moray, England's Marco Penge refused to be blown off course to claim his biggest title in the game, writes Ed Hodge.
After taking advantage of the flat calm conditions of the morning's third round to reach eight-under par, Penge battled bravely in the final round as the wind whipped across the renowned Old Course.
With a host of leading names in the hunt for the title on a classy leaderboard, the 17-year-old showed great tenacity to keep them at bay - helped by a decisive eagle at the par-5 17th - and close with a two-over-par 73 for a six under par winning total.
"I played in similar weather at the Irish Amateur, so I guess I'm used to it," said Penge afterwards. "I actually feel I like those conditions as it makes you battle and keep your head mentally. It's my first win at men's amateur level, so I'm progressing.
"Playing in the Walker Cup was my goal at the start of the season so hopefully I have given the selectors something to think about."
Glenbervie's Graeme Robertson, in the provisional Walker Cup squad ahead of September's clash with the US at Royal Lytham, finished as runner-up on five under after a brave bid, with another Walker Cup squad man, Ireland's Cormac Sharvin, taking third spot a stroke further back.
Robertson, who posted a brilliant 66 in round three helped by a chip in for an eagle 2 at the 9th, was bidding to become the first Scots winner since 2008 but came up just short.
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